Tens of thousands of wild horses on the American plains are facing the threat of slaughter due to their rapid breeding. These mustang horses, although iconic of the American West, are not native to the country and have a negative impact on natural ecosystems. In an attempt to control the population, ranchers are paid by the government to take in these horses. However, rising feed costs have led to more ranchers refusing to accept mustangs, exacerbating the overpopulation issue. The government uses helicopters to trap and thin the populations, but this method of herding has been criticized as cruel. Pregnant mares and foals are forced to traverse rugged terrain, causing distress to the animals. The government’s own holding pastures are also overcrowded, leading to the possibility of slaughtering thousands of these horses to manage the population. There are currently an estimated 37,000 wild horses and feral donkeys roaming the ranges across ten states, which is 11,000 more than the manageable population. Activists continue to advocate for better management of mustangs, suggesting the use of contraceptive measures instead. However, the government argues that this is not a feasible alternative. The controversy surrounding mustangs being considered indigenous animals in North America persists, with some environmentalists claiming that evidence of horses roaming the continent in prehistoric times supports their position. The government believes that the total manageable population should be around 26,000, but no immediate solution to the overpopulation issue has been found.
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